Information communication method and information communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a portable terminal obtains an address for accessing a server from a signage terminal. The portable terminal generates a card for displaying a message in the signage terminal. The portable terminal transmits the card to the server. The signage terminal displays the card received from the server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-230491, filed Nov. 6, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an informationcommunication method and an information communication apparatus.

BACKGROUND

As an electronic advertising system, there is a communication systemcalled digital signage. In this communication system, a signage terminalis allocated as a display in more than one place indoors and outdoors. Asignage terminal receives and displays a message for advertisement,etc., sent from a signage server. If a user viewing a signage terminalis interested in the message, the user can, for example, read thebarcode of the advertisement by means of a portable terminal and contactthe provider of the advertisement via the portable terminal.

The above-described signage terminal unilaterally delivers informationof advertisement, etc., to viewers via the signage terminal. In view ofthe present situation, there are few users of such a signage terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of theembodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate theembodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a schematic structure of digitalsignage to which an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows an example of handlingand operation timings.

FIG. 3 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining the operationexample of the embodiment, and shows a display example of a signageterminal.

FIG. 4 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a structural example ofthe signage terminal.

FIG. 5 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a structural example ofthe signage terminal.

FIG. 6A is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a display example of thesignage terminal and a handling example of a portable terminal.

FIG. 6B is an explanation diagram shown for explaining the operationexample of the embodiment, and shows a display example of the portableterminal.

FIG. 6C is an explanation diagram shown for explaining the operationexample of the embodiment, and shows a display example of the portableterminal.

FIG. 7 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a display example of thesignage terminal and a handling example of the portable terminal.

FIG. 8A is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a display example of thesignage terminal and a handling example of the portable terminal.

FIG. 8B is an explanation diagram shown for explaining the operationexample of the embodiment, and shows a display example of the signageterminal.

FIG. 9 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining the operationexample of the embodiment, and shows an example of handling andoperation timings.

FIG. 10 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows examples of handling andoperation timings.

FIG. 11 is an explanation diagram shown for explaining a typicaloperation example of the embodiment, and shows a display example of thesignage terminal.

FIG. 12 is shown for explaining a typical example of the embodiment.

FIG. 13A is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

FIG. 13B is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

FIG. 14 is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

FIG. 15 is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

FIG. 16 is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

FIG. 17 is shown for explaining an example of the state of use when theembodiment is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In general, according to one embodiment, there are provided aninformation communication method and an information communicationapparatus. An object of the method and the apparatus is to improve theefficiency of use of digital signage by providing users with a varietyof methods of using signage information.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communicationmethod among a signage terminal, a server and a portable terminal isprovided.

The portable terminal obtains an address for accessing the server fromthe signage terminal. The portable terminal generates a card fordisplaying a message in the signage terminal. The portable terminaltransmits the card to the server. And the signage terminal displays thecard received from the server.

Thus, the portable terminal can control an image of the signage terminalthrough the server.

Embodiments will be hereinafter described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, for example, a cloud server(hereinafter, merely referred to as a server) is indicated by thereference number 1000. The server 1000 is configured to communicate witha portable terminal 2000 via a base station 3000. The portable terminal2000 may be called a mobile device or mobile terminal.

The portable terminal 2000 includes, for example, a personal computer2001, a tablet 2002 and a mobile phone (smartphone, etc.) 2003.

The server 1000 is connected to a signage terminal 4000 via a network(the Internet, a local area network, a wireless system, or a complexsystem of them, etc.,) 5000. Although one representative signageterminal is indicated by the reference number 4000 in the figure, thereare more than one signage terminal. Signage terminals are placed invarious environmental places either outside or inside buildings.

For example, the signage terminal 4000 is provided in a plurality ofplaces in an event site, a plurality of places at a company, a pluralityof places in a plant, a plurality of places in a station, a plurality ofplaces in a supermarket or an outlet mall, a plurality of places in adepartment store, and a plurality of places in a hospital andfacilities.

The signage terminal 4000 comprises a transmission-and-reception device4001 connected to the Internet, a signal processor 4002 for processingtransmission-and-reception signals, a display 4003, and a controller4004 configured to conduct overall control. The signage terminal 4000may comprise a connection terminal 4005 for connecting a USB flashmemory, etc.

FIG. 2 shows an example when the portable terminal 2000, the signageterminal 4000 and the sever 1000 mutually communicate with each other.

The portable terminal 2000 is configured to obtain an address from thesignage terminal 4000 based on an operation by a user (step SA1). Thisaddress indicates, for example, a uniform resource locator (URL).Various methods can be used for obtaining the address. These methodswill be explained later.

The portable terminal 2000 is configured to conduct line connection tothe server 1000 by means of the obtained address. When a user wants toupload a message in the signage terminal 4000, the user requests theserver 1000 for a card template (step SA3). In this case, for example,the user pushes a card-template request button of the portable terminal2000.

Then, the server 1000 transmits a card template to the portable terminal2000 (step SA4). Contents preparation as a card is implemented based onoperations of the user in the portable terminal 2000 (step SA5).

As explained later, a card may be also referred to as a frame, a piecefor generating an image, a template, a strip of paper, and a tile, etc.,and thus, may be called in various ways. Here, for example, the term“card” encompasses the following meanings.

Cards may be regarded as images of a plurality of components attached toa signage screen. There are various types of components. The shapes ofcards may be basically the same as each other. In the case of the sameshape, cards can be easily arranged in the signage screen in order.

A vertically-long common shape may be standards of the shape of eachcard in such a way that the shape can be the same as the screen of thesmartphone used by a user.

However, naturally, the shapes of cards may be different from eachother. For example, a card may have a shape which is similar to thescreen of the smartphone of each user, or a shape which is set orselected by each user. The size, color and shape, etc., of a card may beselected depending on the type of the contents to be delivered by thecard, the user, and the category. For example, user A and user B whocommunicate with each other may determine the shape and color of thecard used by the users. When a destination, etc., is reported, a cardhaving a bus-shape, a card to which a bus mark is added, a card having atrain-shape, a card to which a train mark is added, a card having abicycle-shape, and a card to which a bicycle mark is added may be useddepending on the transportation to be used.

Contents prepared by a user are stored in each card. When the card isposted, the card having the contents or the designed card is displayedand reproduced in the signage terminal.

The card having the contents or the designed card can be obtained in thescreen of the portable terminal as an image from the signage boarddisplayed in the signage terminal. Cards can be prepared by a signageprovider as well as each user.

Characters, images, animation, and sounds, etc., can be added ascategories to the contents of cards.

A card is attached to or placed in a predetermined position within thescreen of a signage terminal. Alternatively, a card is hung or floated,and thus, a can be captured as a virtual sense.

For example, a way of dealing with a card can be explained with a senseof virtual space within a signage screen. For example, hooks or hangingtools are provided on a wall in advance. A user can hang a card in eachhook, or bring a card hung in each hook. This kind of sense can beobtained.

In the sense of virtual space, the above “wall” serves as a wholesignage screen, and the hanging tool is regarded as a frame in whicheach card is set.

Further, in the virtual space, a plurality of cards having the samecontents may be piled and hung in one hook. Thus, lamination of aplurality of cards can be displayed in each frame. This example of usemethods will be explained later.

A user prepares contents for a message, using a template on the screenof the portable terminal 2000. As the contents, there are characterstrings, photos to which comments are added, etc.

The user can write characters in a card template by looking at thescreen of the portable terminal 2000 and operating a keyboard on thetouch-panel. When the portable terminal 2000 has a touch-panel inputfunction, it is possible to input characters by bringing the point of astylus or a finger into contact with the portable terminal 2000.Further, when the portable terminal 2000 has a camera function, it ispossible to combine a photo image with a card template.

The user can prepare a desired card (design) by adding theabove-described contents such as characters and photos.

Next, when the user wants to upload the card to a server (that is asignage terminal), the user uploads the card by operating the portableterminal 2000 (step SA6). The card is sent to the server 1000, and theserver 1000 transmits the card to the signage terminal 4000 (step SA7).In this manner, the card uploaded by the user is displayed in thesignage terminal 4000. The card displayed in the signage terminal 4000can be deleted by the user who uploaded the card. The action “uploading”may be also referred to as “posting” or “contributing”.

The card displayed in the signage terminal 4000 can be downloaded byother users, or the user who uploaded the card. In this case, the numberof downloading times may be set. The user conducts operations foruploading the prepared card in the server 1000. Before conducting theoperations, the number of times for downloading the card may be limitedto, for example, ten times, twenty times or thirty times. As thecontents to be downloaded, there are recorded messages (texts), soundsand photos, etc.

As described above, a user can feel as if the user directly operates thesignage terminal 4000 via the portable terminal 2000. The portableterminal 2000 and the signage terminal 4000 are in areas which arephysically close to each other. Therefore, when the signage terminal4000 displays the card (step SA8), the user can feel as if the useroperates the signage terminal seen by himself/herself. In the portableterminal 2000, there is no need to hold its own (or common) application,and the above-described operation (as if the user directly operates thesignage terminal 4000) is possible by the access to the signage terminal4000.

FIG. 3 shows that cards 4011, 4012, 4013 and 4015 are displayed in thesignage terminal 4000. The signage terminal 4000 is configured todisplay, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) 4020(hereinafter, merely referred to as a code) in the same screen as thescreen displaying the cards. This code includes a URL and provides anaddress for accessing the server 1000.

Apart from the above method, there are various methods for providing anaddress. An address may be provided by a barcode. Alternatively, anaugmented reality (AR) technique, etc., may be applied. For example,when the characters “message board” of the signage terminal 4000 arephotographed by the camera of the portable terminal 2000, an address forserver access may be obtained as AR data.

The contents of the above code are switched to different contentsdepending on the time zone. The interval of switching time can bearbitrarily set at, for example, thirty minutes, one hour, two hours,three hours and four hours. By this time setting, naturally, the accessaddress of the server 1000 is also switched to a different address.

A code is changed as described above in order to prevent the portableterminal 2000 from accessing the server 1000 from a place which isdifferent from a place in which the signage terminal 4000 is set afterthe portable terminal 2000 which read the code stores the read code.Even if the portable terminal 2000 accesses the server 1000 in adifferent place from a place where the signage terminal 4000 is set, theuser cannot see the image (card) of the signage terminal 4000.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the signage terminal 4000 furthercomprises a short-distance transmission-and-reception device 4007. Theshort-distance transmission-and-reception device 4007 may communicatewith the portable terminal 2000, and provide the portable terminal 2000with the address of the server 1000.

Weak electric waves, infrared rays, wireless fidelity (WiFi; compliantwith IEEE802.11x), near field communication (NFC; low speed magneticcoupling), a Blutooth® compliant with IEEE802.15.1, transfer jet(very-short-distance-and-high-speed wireless communication), etc., maybe applied to the short-distance transmission-and-reception device 4007.

When the signage terminal 4000 can recognize the portable terminal 2000by the above short-distance communications, the following use may beexecuted. The signage terminal 4000 can recognize (acknowledge) that theportable terminal 2000 is located near the signage terminal 4000 by, forexample, obtaining global positioning system (GPS) information from theportable terminal 2000.

For example, a communication partner may be restricted or controlled byinstalling an own application into the signage terminal 4000. Forexample, the signage terminal 4000 may reject communication with aspecific partner. The address of the portable terminal of a specificpartner may be transmitted to the server 1000. Further, when the signageterminal 4000 detects the address of the portable terminal of a specificpartner, this detection may be informed to a specific server.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the signage terminal 4000 furthercomprises the short-distance transmission-and-reception device 4007 anda camera 4008.

In this embodiment, it is possible to take an image of a user who islocated near the signage terminal 4000 by means of the camera 4008 andspecify the user. The signage terminal 4000 is configured to determinewhether or not the user is positioned on the front surface side of thesignage terminal 4000 and whether or not the user looks into the screenof the signage terminal 4000.

When a user is located in a specific area (imaging area) near thesignage terminal 4000, the signage terminal 4000 can determine that theuser is going to use the signage system. At this time, the signageterminal 4000 may give the user an operation guidance through sound orimages.

In this embodiment, similarly, the signage terminal 4000 is configuredto recognize a user and the portable terminal 2000. Therefore, forexample, a user may be rejected from using the signage. Further, it ispossible to transmit the face image of a user to the server 1000 or aspecific server. By comparing the face image of a user with the faceimages of past users, it is possible to discover an inappropriate user.

FIG. 6A shows a display example of the signage terminal 4000 and anoperation example of the portable terminal 2000 (2003). The portableterminal 2003 comprises a display which also serves as a touch-panel.When the portable terminal 2003 receives an address from the signageterminal 4000 and joins the signage system, the mode of the portableterminal 2003 shifts to a mode for operating the signage terminal 4000.

The portable terminal 2003 is configured to select (specify) one of thecards 4011 to 4015 displayed in the signage terminal 4000.

For example, a selection mark 2012 having arrow shapes is displayed inthe display of the portable terminal 2003. When a user swipes theselection mark 2012 in the direction indicated by an arrow (rightdirection), the designated mark (an arrow mark) displayed in the signageterminal 4000 is configured to move from the position of a designatedmark 4031 (the position of the card 4011) to the position of adesignated mark 4032 (the position of the card 4012). Moreover, when theuser swipes the selection mark 2012 in the arrow direction (rightdirection), the designated mark (the arrow mark) is configured to moveto the position of the next card 4013. When the user swipes theselection mark 2012 in the direction indicated by an arrow (leftdirection), the designated mark moves to the position of the next cardone by one in the left direction at each operation (swipe). In thismanner, the user can specify the desired card.

The portable terminal 2003 is configured to display a download mark 2014in the display. For example, when the download mark 2014 is swiped inthe arrow direction at a state where the card 4011 is designated, theportable terminal 2003 can obtain the card 4011. In practice, the card4011 is sent from the server 1000 to the portable terminal 2003.

The portable terminal 2003 is configured to display a posting mark 2011in the display. When the posting mark 2011 is swiped in its arrowdirection, the prepared card can be displayed in the signage terminal4000. In practice, the prepared card is transmitted from the portableterminal 2003 to the server 1000.

The portable terminal 2003 is configured to display a deletion mark 2013in the display. A user can operate the selection mark 2012 and specifythe card to be deleted by the designated mark. When the deletion mark2013 is swiped or touched at a state where the card to be deleted isspecified by the designated mark, the specified card is deleted.However, normally, cards which can be deleted are only the cards postedfrom the portable terminal 2003 which prepared the cards. A person whocan delete a card is only the specific person (the administrator of thedistal signage). The administrator can own, for example, a specialvalidation key for operating the digital signage.

The selection mark and the download mark in the portable terminal 2003(2000) may be arranged (or displayed), for example, as shown in FIG. 6Bso as to be an arrow mark (selection mark) 2052 from a background screendisplay 2050 configured to cause awareness of the message board towardthe portable terminal 2003 (2000), a right direction arrow mark 2053 anda left direction arrow mark 2054. The right and left direction arrowmarks 2053 and 2054 are configured to suggest movement from one column(item column) of the message board to the next column. Further, in thedisplay example (arrangement) shown in FIG. 6B, a posting mark 2055 maybe displayed with an arrow mark in a direction toward the message board(signage terminal) 4000 in the next screen (FIG. 6C) switched by turninga post message button 2051 on.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the contents of the card 4013 are as follows:“Does anyone want to buy a ticket for a baseball game today at a bargainprice?” “Please download this message and come to . . . ”. In the caseof the card 4013 of this kind, many people will want to buy the ticket.Therefore, the ticket provider (the user who uploaded the card) canlimit the number of downloading times. The example of FIG. 7 shows thatcards are piled in such a way that people can immediately (and visually)recognize that the remaining number of times for downloading the card isfour. In the example of FIG. 7, the number of remaining cards is reducedone by one every time the card is downloaded.

In the above example, the number of downloading times is restricted.However, the period or time in which download is possible may belimited. For example, when the bargain offer of a product is advertisedthrough a card, the period or time of the advertisement may be set. Ifthe period or time is set, the card is automatically deleted after thedetermined period or time passed.

FIG. 8A shows an example in which there are many postings in the signageterminal 4000 and cards are minified to be displayed. In the digitalsignage system of the embodiment, for example, hundred postings arepossible on one signage terminal. In the display example shown in FIG.8A, identifiers (identifying display) 4016 a (card 4016), 4017 a (card4017), 4018 a and 4018 b (card 4018) which can be confirmed by sight bythe users themselves who are currently in the access are displayed atpredetermined positions near the cards in such a way that thesimultaneous access of a plurality of users to a plurality of cards (orsimultaneous access of a plurality of users to one card) can berecognized. The identifiers (identifying display) can be displayed by,for example, a color bar (marking by color), color application to theouter frame of a card (change in color of the whole periphery or a partof the outer frame of a card), display of the machine type in accordancewith the media access control (MAC) address of a portable terminal,display of some numbers of a telephone number (of a portable terminal),or combinations of these examples. Of course, in order of access,consecutive numbers (a series of numbers) from 1 is possible. In thiscase, a series of numbers corresponding to the order of access istransmitted from the signage terminal 4000 to an individual portableterminal (user). A series of numbers is preferably maintained as samenumbers until communication with portable terminals (users) finish.

FIG. 8B shows an example in which the card 4017 selected by a user frommany cards displayed in the signage terminal 4000 is enlarged to bedisplayed.

The embodiment showing the change in the display state from FIG. 8A toFIG. 8B is an example of a case where a function of enlarging anddisplaying a card is operated. When many cards are minified anddisplayed in the signage terminal 4000, a user may have difficultyseeing the contents of the cards. Therefore, when a user selects thedesired card and for example, touches an enlargement button 2015 of theportable terminal 2003 as shown in FIG. 8A, the desired card 4017 isenlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. 8B. The display example of FIG.8A shows jump to the first card from the left end of the second row(lower stage) when the selection mark 2012 is pressed, after the firstcard from the right end in the first row (upper stage). However, theselection mark 2012 may operate to the card right under the first cardfrom the right end of the first row (the first card from the right endof the second row), and then moved one by one toward the cards on theleft side.

FIG. 9 shows a system operation example of a case where the signageterminal 4000 is configured to recognize the user of the portableterminal 2000. The signage terminal 4000 is configured to obtain theportable terminal number of the portable terminal 2000 or the face imageof the user (step SB1). The signage terminal 4000 transmits the obtaineduser information, for example, the face image, to the server 1000 (stepSB2).

After that, the server 1000 is configured to specify the user by meansof the face image of the user and the database, and determine whetherthe user is appropriate or inappropriate (step SB3). An inappropriateuser is, for example, a criminal, or a person who has vandalized asignage terminal. In such a case, the server 1000 is configured totransmit a warning screen, a warning message, or warning sound, etc., tothe signage terminal 4000 (step SB4).

FIG. 10 shows a system operation example of a case where the server 1000is configured to recognize the user of the portable terminal 2000. Theportable terminal 2000 obtains an address from the signage terminal 4000(step SC1). The signage terminal 4000 conducts line connection with theserver 1000 by use of the obtained address (SC2). At this time, theserver 1000 determines whether or not the user is suitable to use thesignage based on the portable number of the portable terminal 2000(identification data (ID) unique to the user) (step SC3). When the useris inappropriate, the server 1000 notifies the portable terminal 2000 ofthe user that the user is inappropriate (SC4).

For example, when a card is available for special members, theabove-described determination regarding whether the user is appropriateor inappropriate may be performed.

FIG. 11 shows that a template to be used can be selected from varioustypes of templates when the portable terminal 2000 requests the server1000 for a card template. FIG. 11 shows various types of templates 2031,2032 and 2033 having different designs and colors.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the signage terminal 4000 is used atthe reception of a hospital. The signage terminal 4000 is used forregistration for the order of consultations of patients who visit thehospital. At this time, a user can receive a card for registration forthe order of consultations from the server. When the user writes his/hername in the card and uploads it, the name is displayed in the signageterminal 4000 for consultation acceptance, and the registration for theorder of consultations is completed.

When a download operation is conducted in the portable terminal 2000 ofthe user, the signage terminal 4000 can determine that the usercancelled the consultation or entered a consultation room. It ispossible to notify the portable terminal of a user whose order is, forexample, the fifth after the current user who cancelled consultation orentered the consultation room that the consultation is approaching.

FIG. 13A shows that, for example, Tom operates the portable terminal(smartphone) 2000 and posts a card in which a message is described onthe signage terminal 4000.

FIG. 13B shows that, for example, Betty operates the portable terminal(smartphone) 2000 and downloads the message posted by Tom while shelooks at the signage terminal 4000.

FIG. 14 shows the following state. Tom takes pictures of persons ortakes pictures for a catalog by means of a camera function of theportable terminal 2000, prepares a card for posting by attaching thepictures to the card, and posts the card on the signage terminal 4000.In this case, a message may be added to the card together with thephotos. The message may be input by, for example, handwriting, a stylus,or from a keyboard.

FIG. 15 shows that, for example, a plurality of clothing stores postadvertisement of clothing by means of smartphones (one store may post aplurality of cards). A staff of a clothing store takes pictures ofmodels or mannequins by means of a camera function of a portableterminal (for example, a smartphone). Next, the user attaches thephotographs to a card to be used by operating the portable terminal. Theuser goes to an area around a signage terminal near the store in orderto post the card having the contents of the photographs. In this case,audio data may be posted together with the card. When a user downloadsthe card, the user can also receive voice-guided explanation by thesmartphone in which the card is downloaded.

FIG. 16 illustrates typical examples showing in which kind of places thesignage terminal of this embodiment is set. For example, the signage4000 (1) may be set in the lateral of a road of a building. For example,the large-scale signage 4000 (2) may be set on the wall surface of abuilding. For example, the signages 4000 (3) and 4000 (4) may beprovided in the entrance and information of a building. The signage 4000(5) may be set inside a building.

FIG. 17 is an example showing with which portions portable terminals ofusers for using the signage terminal of the embodiment practicallyconduct electric communication.

The portable terminal 2000 communicates with a web socket server and aweb server in practice. At this time, the signage terminal 4000 set nearthe portable terminal 2000 is controlled by the server, and isconfigured to behave as if the signage terminal 4000 communicates withthe portable terminal 2000.

Each of the structural elements described above may be divided into twoor more elements in claims. A plurality of structural elements may becombined in claims. Further, the divided and combined elements in thismanner may be combined in claims. All of these elements are within thescope of the embodiments of the present invention. Even when a claim isdirected to a method, the apparatus of the embodiments of the presentinvention is applied to the claim. The processes in the signageterminal, and the processes in the server may be operated by programs orinstructions of a computer. Of course, an information storage medium(disk or semiconductor memory) from which data can be read by a computermay be used.

In the above-described signage system, communication between the signageterminal and a portable terminal is preferably one-to-one communicationwith a user who actually looks at a card (information) displayed by thesignage terminal. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the utility valueof the signage system by recognizing that the user is located near thesignage terminal by means of face identification, GPS, or change of acode depending on the time as described above.

The technical terms used above in relation to the embodiments and thenames or technical terms described in the drawings are in no wayrestrictive. For example, the processor may be replaced with processingmeans, a processing unit, or a processing module. Likewise, thecontroller may be replaced with control means, a control unit, or acontrol module. The managing unit may be replaced with a manager,managing means, or a managing module. The generator may be replaced withgenerating means, a generating unit, or a generating module. The storageunit may be replaced with storage means, a storage or a storage module.The collection and correction unit may be replaced with collection andcorrection means, or a collection and correction device. Theregistration unit may be replaced with registration means, aregistration device, or a registration module.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information communication method of a portableterminal in communication with a signage terminal and a server,comprising: obtaining an address for accessing the server from thesignage terminal, by the portable terminal; generating a card fordisplaying a message in the signage terminal, by the portable terminal;transmitting the card to the server from the portable terminal; anddisplaying the card received from the server, at the signage terminal,wherein the portable terminal is configured to control an image of thesignage terminal.
 2. The information communication method of claim 1,wherein the portable terminal is configured to obtain the address byreading a code displayed in a screen in which the card is displayed atthe signage terminal.
 3. The information communication method of claim2, wherein the code is changed depending on a time.
 4. The informationcommunication method of claim 1, wherein the portable terminal and thesignage terminal communicate with each other in a short distance inorder to obtain the address.
 5. The information communication method ofclaim 1, wherein the signage terminal is configured to determine aposition of the portable terminal based on GPS data from the portableterminal.
 6. The information communication method of claim 1, whereinthe signage terminal is configured to identify a face of a user of theportable terminal in order to provide the portable terminal with theaddress.
 7. The information communication method of claim 1, wherein thesignage terminal is configured to control an access privilege by whichthe portable terminal accesses the server.
 8. The informationcommunication method of claim 1, wherein the server is configured tobegin communication with the portable terminal when the portableterminal is a specific portable terminal.
 9. The informationcommunication method of claim 1, wherein the portable terminal isconfigured to obtain a template for generating the card from the server.10. The information communication method of claim 1, wherein anoperation mark for specifying one of a plurality of cards displayed inthe signage terminal is displayed in the portable terminal.
 11. Theinformation communication method of claim 1, wherein the portableterminal is configured to display a posting mark for transmitting thecard to the server.
 12. The information communication method of claim 1,wherein the portable terminal is configured to output a deletion signaldeleting the card transmitted to the server.
 13. The informationcommunication method of claim 1, wherein the portable terminal isconfigured to display a download mark for downloading the card displayedin the signage terminal.
 14. The information communication method ofclaim 1, wherein the portable terminal is configured to download thecard displayed in the signage terminal, and a number of times the cardcan be downloaded is limited.
 15. The information communication methodof claim 1, wherein the signage terminal is configured to display anidentifier by which a user is able to recognize the portable terminalwhich currently communicates with the card displayed, by the userviewing and associating the identifier with the card.
 16. Theinformation communication method of claim 1, wherein the signageterminal is configured to transmit a series of numbers to the portableterminal which currently communicates with the card displayed as anidentifier.
 17. An information communication apparatus comprising atransmission-and-reception device, a signal processor and a display,wherein a card for a message sent from a server, and a code forindicating an address of the server are displayed in a same screen ofthe display, and when a new card is sent from the server, the new cardis displayed.
 18. The information communication apparatus of claim 17,wherein the code includes the address sent to a portable terminal. 19.The information communication apparatus of claim 17, further comprisinga camera by which a user of a portable terminal is photographed.